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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 16

Military General Service 1793-1814, 7 clasps, Talavera, Cuidad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, Nive (Crosbie Johnston, 88th Foot.), suspension somewhat slack, heavy edge bruising, nearly very fine

Provenance:
Sotheby's, April 1910.
Baldwin's, June 1956.

Crosbie Johnston was born at Aberdeen in 1780. Employed as a labourer, he enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) at Dumfries on 15 February 1802. Transferring to the 1st Battalion, he served in South America as part of Sir Home Popham's ill-fated expedition to incite rebellion among the Spanish colonies. During the failed assault on Buenos Aires on 5 July 1807, Johnston was wounded (his discharge papers confirm).

Johnston then fought at the Battle of Talavera (clasp) on 27-28 July 1809, as a Private with the 1st Battalion. Part of Major-General Mackenzie's 3rd Division, the 88th covered the retreat of General Cuesta's Spanish forces - now allied to the British - during the night of 27 July. Initially held in reserve the following day, 3rd Division was ordered forward to plug the gap in Wellesley's centre formed by the dispersal of Sherbrooke's 1st Division. Despite a fierce bombardment by French artillery on the Cerro de Cascajal ridge, both divisions counter-attacked and drove the French back down the slope. The 88th sustained 64 casualties on 27 July, and 85 the following day. Johnston's discharge papers reveal that he was wounded during the battle.

The Connaught Rangers will forever be associated with the Sieges of Cuidad Rodrigo (clasp) and Badajoz (clasp), in which they played such a gallant part. The main assault at Badajoz took place during the night of 6 April 1812. While the 4th and Light Divisions attempted to storm breaches created in Badajoz's walls, the 3rd Division - now under Sir Thomas Picton - was ordered to seize Badajoz's castle. The 88th attacked with such ferocity that the regiment acquired the nickname 'The Devil's Own'. After two sanguinary hours of close-combat fighting, the 3rd Division achieved its aim, lending invaluable assistance to the 4th and Light Divisions. The loss to Wellington's army was 77 officers and 963 men killed, 306 officers and 3,481 men wounded.

At the Battle of Salamanca (clasp) on 22 July 1812, the 88th again formed part of the 3rd Division, this time under Major-General Edward Pakenham. 3rd Division clashed head-on with Marshal Marmont's leading columns, sending them back in confusion. Johnston was wounded at Vittoria on 21 June 1813 (his discharge papers confirm), when the 88th Foot crossed the Bridge of Mendoza under heavy fire from French artillery before capturing the village of Arinez in a fierce mêlée. Johnston remained with the regiment through the battles of Nivelle and Nive.

Discharged on 1 February 1816, Johnston retired to Kilmainham Royal Hospital in Dublin, having served 13 years and 352 days with the Colours; sold with copied discharge papers.

Recommended reading:

Cannon, R., Historical Record of the Eighty-Eighth Regiment of Foot (London, 1838).


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Sold for
£3,200